Heysham police officer to raise funds for epilepsy

A Heysham police officer is preparing for his biggest challenge yet to raise funds for his best friend’s son who has a life limiting condition.

Kev Illingworth, a traffic officer for Lancaster Police, is taking on an ultra marathon to raise funds for Jigsaw, a Cumbria hospice who look after Leo Braniff, who has drug resistant epilepsy.

The 35-year-old, who has been a police officer for 12 years, will take on the 36 miler in the Lake District on June 27.

He said: “I am not very good with heights so I thought I would try my hand at running.

“Any idiot can do a marathon, it takes a real idiot to do an ultra marathon.

“My best friend Adam, his little boy Leo he was diagnosed in 2013, he’s on a special ketogenic diet.

“There isn’t a lot of awareness for epilepsy, so I want to raise as much as I can.”

The 58km challenge starts and finishes at the Lakeland Trails in Ambleside.

The dad-of-one has been up at 4.30am each morning before work to train for the challenge.

Wife of eight-years Lucy is proud of her husband’s efforts.

She said: “I am immensely proud of him, he has never thought about quitting, he just keeps going and training, I admire him and think it’s the best example to set for our daughter.

“Leo has this life changing condition that people are scared to talk about, we need to invest money into children’s services including hospices that offer even a second of help and reassurance to families affected.

“I know this condition has been totally life-changing to Leo’s family. Kev’s run is nothing compared to what fears are faced by families living with epilepsy.”

If you want to sponsor Kevin on his marathon mission in June then visit his just giving page at lucyaspinalledenvalleyhospice.